Okay, thank you all for reviewing! I never dreamed my fiction would be so
popular! But, you all ask so many questions. So, the next section is a
spoiler before I go to chapter 23. If you don't want to spoil some of the
story, please skip right down to the story… now.
Okay, yes, Eriol will be in the story. I put him in a chapter very soon. But I'm not sure if he'll have a big role, or that small cameo. And yes, Meilin WILL be back. Tomoyo too. …And Mia, Kero, Yue, Touya, Vincent, Mihoshi, an upcoming character named Gene, and all the other characters. They will be there for, "the final battle." Does that answer your questions? But right now, most of them aren't with Sakura and Syaoran. Kero, Yue, Tomoyo and Mia are in the Mage Village, Meilin's at her village, Vincent is in his… etc.
But enough spoilers, on with the story! (Warning, this chapter is more… graphic than usual.)
Chapter 23
Meilin slowly peered her head in the door. She saw Syaoran sitting on Sakura's bed, with his lips gently pressed against Sakura's forehead. "Syaoran, you're supposed to be resting in bed! Your wounds still aren't fully healed yet." She said. But Syaoran didn't respond. He just sat there, gently hugging Sakura. She saw a tear roll down Sakura's cheek with her eyes closed, arms wrapped around Syaoran's shoulders. "Syaoran… I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have made you worry like that…" She said, choking on her tears. "It's alright, Sakura… I'm just glad you're safe. You've already promised me you wouldn't do it again, and I have no reason to doubt your word. I trust you…" He said. Meilin just stared at them, thinking about them. She saw how much they loved each other. They may not be able to admit it, to themselves or each other, but they loved each other. Meilin thought abut losing Syaoran. She loved him, but she also wanted him to be happy. She slowly walked to the door and shut it silently. She sat against the door, with tears in her eyes. She couldn't take it; she just wanted to be alone. She ran off crying into the woods. She sat down on a trunk and cried. She cried over and over. She didn't want to, but she had to let Syaoran go…
"Meilin? Is that you crying?" A voice rang out through the woods. Meilin looked up and saw Mihoshi standing there in the morning light. "What's wrong, big sis?" Meilin turned away from her to hide her tears. "It's… nothing. Really." Mihoshi answered reluctantly, "…It's Syaoran, isn't it?" Meilin looked at her innocent childish face. "How did you know?" Mihoshi sat down next to her. "I may be young, but I know these things. I can tell you really love him. But he really loves Sakura, and she loves him, but they can't admit it. But you're wrong about one thing." "Huh?" She asked confused. "He does love you." Mihoshi stated. "No he doesn't. He loves Kinomoto." Mihoshi smiled. "That's true, but he also loves you. Not like he loves Sakura, but in a different way. He loves you like a sister, like I love you. To us, you are someone very dear to us, whom we would always want to protect. He really loves you like that." Meilin smiled at Mihoshi. "Thank you, lil' sis…" And Meilin hugged her deeply.
Back at the village, Sakura and Syaoran walked out of the bunkhouse, in silence. The village elder Cornia walked up to them. "So, you are leaving to continue your quest?" Syaoran answered, "Yes, we have to stop Sadin, at all costs." The chief frowned. "I wish you would stay, but I know of your quest. You must go. I wish there were more we could do, but I'm afraid we've done all we can." Sakura smiled. "That's okay. You don't need to do any more. We'll just be leaving; we hope to see you again one day. We're heading East towards the shrine in the ocean. We don't know how to get to it, but we'll find some way." And they walked off towards the East. They were dressed in special made green tunics with long brown boots. They carried their backpacks over their shoulders, which were now full of food and supplies. They were ready to set off, when they heard, "STOP!" It was Meilin. "I need to talk to you!" She ran next to them. "I just wanted to say good-bye. Since I might not see you again…" Sakura smiled. "Of course we'll see you again. We'll both be back. I promise." Meilin smiled. "I guess you're right. Sakura, can I talk to you alone for a moment? You know, girl-to-girl?" Sakura looked confused and turned towards Syaoran, who signaled that he thought it was okay. The two girls walked a little distance so Syaoran wouldn't hear them. "Kinomoto, I know we haven't been the best of friends, but when Syaoran told me how you risked your life to save him, I knew how you must feel about him." Sakura looked confused. "What are you talking about?" "I just want to let you know, you have my permission to feel that way about him. I know you'll do a good job. Just don't make him worry like after you fainted, got it?" Sakura stood in silence and confusion. "Hoe… what do you mean?" "Don't worry, you'll figure it out eventually. Well, I'll let you go." Meilin walked off, waving as she went. Syaoran walked up to Sakura. "What was that all about?" He asked. "…I'm not sure…"
They set out on the rest of their journey. After a day of walking, they arrived on a beach with large waves crashing on the shore. They sat down on the sand and unfolded the map. "So, is this where the next shrine is?" Syaoran asked. "I don't think so. It should be about another day east of here. My question is, how will we know where it is exactly and how will we get to it? The entire shrine is underwater." She answered. Syaoran turned around and crossed his arms. "I'm not sure I guess we'll just have to—" "UGH!" He heard Sakura scream behind him. "Sakura?" He turned and saw Sakura lying motionless on the ground. "Sakura! What happened?" He lifted her head. She was out cold with a blow to the head. He looked up just in time to see something fly towards his head before everything went black… He temporarily regained consciousness. He felt someone dragging him. He opened his eyes. He saw two demons dragging him and Sakura somewhere. He then lost consciousness again…
Syaoran groaned loudly and rubbed his head. He felt like a car had hit him. He sat up, half unconscious. "…Damn… what the hell happened?" He heard crying coming from nearby. He couldn't see much because his vision was very blurry. "Who's there?" He asked, not knowing where it's coming from. "S-S- Syaoran?! Is that you?!" Syaoran's eyes still didn't focus. "Syaoran, it's me, Sakura." Sakura said. Syaoran walked closer to where he heard her voice come from. "Where are we? I can't see a thing. OW!" He walked straight into some large metal poles sticking out of the ground. Finally, his vision straightened. It was dark, but he could now make out his surroundings. He had bumped into… prison bars?! "Where the hell are we?!" He asked again, leaning against the bars. "We're in some kind of prison… demons knocked us out and dragged us here…" Syaoran looked up and recalled seeing them be dragged off. "Oh yeah, now I remember. But why were you crying?" He turned and looked at Sakura. He stared blankly for a second, covered his eyes and turned around screaming. "Hey! Where are your clothes?" He was right. She was completely naked. Sakura pointed. "I can say the same thing to you." Syaoran blushed deeply. Oh damn… I'm still groggy… I didn't even notice… But, why?" Sakura was silent for a moment. "Those demons… they looked for the Clow Cards, but they never found them. They didn't realize that the cards are in our backpacks still on the beach. They thought we had them on us, so they took all of our clothes, weapons, food, everything. They never gave any of it back…" She began to cry. "It has been a living hell staying here…" Syaoran looked up at the ceiling. "Is that why you've been crying? Because it's been rough?" Sakura turned away. "No, that's not it… I don't want to talk about it…" Syaoran was silent for a moment. "Well, you don't have to tell me, but I just thought…" Sakura interrupted with, "Alright… but please don't overreact…" She stepped forward into the small bit of light from a dim light bulb that was the only source of light in their cells. Blood was streaming down her cheeks. Her face was covered in bruises, as was the rest of her body, from he legs, to her chest, to her arms. She was filthy and covered in dirt and mud. "Oh my God! What happened to you?!" Syaoran asked in horror. "It's nothing…" She said in a quite fearful voice as tears formed in her eyes. "Nothing huh? Bruises and cuts just don't appear out of nowhere. What happened?" He asked again. "When they didn't find the Clow Cards, they came to my cell. You were still unconscious. You've been out for about two days. I woke up a few hours after we arrived. They asked me where the cards were, but I wouldn't tell them. They started to scream at me, but I still wouldn't tell them. Then they started to shove me around. Eventually, the two guards just jumped me and beat me… And they beat me hard… They punched me in the face, kicked me, cut me, anything they could think of… they did the same thing yesterday, and they promised to do it again today! I'm so scarred…" Syaoran was silent. He was so shocked and disgusted. "And these conditions… the rats, the dirt, the darkness… The only thing I have to keep me warm at night is this rag. I CAN'T TAKE IT! They haven't given me any food either… just water. I haven't eaten in two days… I feel so weak… But that's not the worst part…" Syaoran couldn't believe that. She had been beaten and starved. How could anything be worse than that? "I looked in your cell, and saw the blood coming from your head… they told me you were already dead. That you had bled to death. I couldn't look at you… The thought that my best friend, my Syaoran was covered in blood and dead in the room next to me was too much to bear…" Syaoran couldn't believe what he was hearing. His blood boiled. The lies, the beatings, Sakura didn't deserve it. No one deserves that kind of abuse, especially Sakura. He reached his arms through the cell bars and stroked his fingers through her hair. "It's alright Sakura. Everything will be fine now. I won't let them lay another damned finger on you." He pulled her closer to the bars and tried to hug through the metal poles.
"Aw, isn't this sweet? The bitch and her man are together again…"
A voice came in from the other end of the room. A lone demon, armed with a handgun, walked in. "So, you're finally awake? Good, I'm glad. Now not only do I get to beat your girlfriend here in front of you, but then I get to beat you too!" Syaoran's face turned bright red in hatred. "YOU BASTARD! YOU WERE ONE OF THE GUARDS WHO BEAT SAKURA! I'LL KILL YOU!" He feverishly reached his arms out of the cell, trying to grab the guard, like a lion trapped in a cage. "Heh. Feisty today, aren't we? Well, no matter. Let's get started. I'll just—AUGH!" The guard suddenly dropped to his knees, and disappeared like all of the tuxedos do. An object landed where the tuxedo guard once stood. Sakura reached out and picked it up. "An arrow?" She said. "But who—"
"It's mine." A voice said, interrupting Sakura. A figure stepped in front of their cells. He was a tall and slender man, probably around 6'5" with bright blonde hair. He had deep blue eyes. He was dressed in a black suit, something you'd expect a cat burglar to wear. "My name is Gene. I'm from a nearby village of archers. Sadin's armies captured me and the rest of the villagers. We were taken here, but I escaped from my cell. Unfortunately, I don't know where the rest of the villagers are. But as I snuck around, I heard some guards talking about the Galactic Heroes were trapped here. So, I figured I could make a deal with you two. I'll help you escape if you'll help me find and rescue my fellow archers. Deal?" "Of course we'll help you. You saved me from being beaten again." Sakura said. "Great." He picked up the keys the guard was carrying and unlocked their cells. "Oh yeah, I brought some stuff for you two. Some food, some medical supplies, and it looks like you two could use some clothes. It wouldn't be very smart to try and break out of here completely nude." He tossed them some clothes and they quickly got dressed, not even caring what they looked like. When they finally finished, they looked at each other. Everything they wore was black. Black t-shirts, black pants, black boots, and a black wool hat. Next, he gave them their medical supplies. They stepped out of their cells and helped wrap bandages around their wounds. "And I'm sure you're both hungry. I managed to steal some food from the kitchen." Gene tossed them some apples and they ate them up quickly. "Okay, are you two ready?" He asked the two heroes. "Yeah, but I have just one question: Tomoyo, our friend, told us that Sadin had destroyed all of the technology in the world, but then how…" "Does Sadin's prison have all of this technology like the lights and guns? He may have destroyed all of the technology, but that damned greedy pig kept a lot for himself and his armies to use." He picked up the handgun the guard was carrying. "That's why their armies here use these."
At the other end of the room, a door opened and a guard stepped in. "OH NO! THE PRISONERS ARE FREE!" The guard screamed. He ran outside the door and pressed a button. Gene raised the pistol and fired. The guard fell, but it was too late.
"BREEEE! BREEEE! WARNING! INTRUDER ALREAT! THE PRISONERS ARE FREE! ALL PERSONNEL ASSISST IN CAPTURING THEM! BREEEE! BREEEE!" The alarm had been sounded. "Oh shit… Come on, we gotta move!" Gene said as they made a run for the door, into the prison full of armed guards to try and rescue the village of archers.
To be continued…
Okay, yes, Eriol will be in the story. I put him in a chapter very soon. But I'm not sure if he'll have a big role, or that small cameo. And yes, Meilin WILL be back. Tomoyo too. …And Mia, Kero, Yue, Touya, Vincent, Mihoshi, an upcoming character named Gene, and all the other characters. They will be there for, "the final battle." Does that answer your questions? But right now, most of them aren't with Sakura and Syaoran. Kero, Yue, Tomoyo and Mia are in the Mage Village, Meilin's at her village, Vincent is in his… etc.
But enough spoilers, on with the story! (Warning, this chapter is more… graphic than usual.)
Chapter 23
Meilin slowly peered her head in the door. She saw Syaoran sitting on Sakura's bed, with his lips gently pressed against Sakura's forehead. "Syaoran, you're supposed to be resting in bed! Your wounds still aren't fully healed yet." She said. But Syaoran didn't respond. He just sat there, gently hugging Sakura. She saw a tear roll down Sakura's cheek with her eyes closed, arms wrapped around Syaoran's shoulders. "Syaoran… I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have made you worry like that…" She said, choking on her tears. "It's alright, Sakura… I'm just glad you're safe. You've already promised me you wouldn't do it again, and I have no reason to doubt your word. I trust you…" He said. Meilin just stared at them, thinking about them. She saw how much they loved each other. They may not be able to admit it, to themselves or each other, but they loved each other. Meilin thought abut losing Syaoran. She loved him, but she also wanted him to be happy. She slowly walked to the door and shut it silently. She sat against the door, with tears in her eyes. She couldn't take it; she just wanted to be alone. She ran off crying into the woods. She sat down on a trunk and cried. She cried over and over. She didn't want to, but she had to let Syaoran go…
"Meilin? Is that you crying?" A voice rang out through the woods. Meilin looked up and saw Mihoshi standing there in the morning light. "What's wrong, big sis?" Meilin turned away from her to hide her tears. "It's… nothing. Really." Mihoshi answered reluctantly, "…It's Syaoran, isn't it?" Meilin looked at her innocent childish face. "How did you know?" Mihoshi sat down next to her. "I may be young, but I know these things. I can tell you really love him. But he really loves Sakura, and she loves him, but they can't admit it. But you're wrong about one thing." "Huh?" She asked confused. "He does love you." Mihoshi stated. "No he doesn't. He loves Kinomoto." Mihoshi smiled. "That's true, but he also loves you. Not like he loves Sakura, but in a different way. He loves you like a sister, like I love you. To us, you are someone very dear to us, whom we would always want to protect. He really loves you like that." Meilin smiled at Mihoshi. "Thank you, lil' sis…" And Meilin hugged her deeply.
Back at the village, Sakura and Syaoran walked out of the bunkhouse, in silence. The village elder Cornia walked up to them. "So, you are leaving to continue your quest?" Syaoran answered, "Yes, we have to stop Sadin, at all costs." The chief frowned. "I wish you would stay, but I know of your quest. You must go. I wish there were more we could do, but I'm afraid we've done all we can." Sakura smiled. "That's okay. You don't need to do any more. We'll just be leaving; we hope to see you again one day. We're heading East towards the shrine in the ocean. We don't know how to get to it, but we'll find some way." And they walked off towards the East. They were dressed in special made green tunics with long brown boots. They carried their backpacks over their shoulders, which were now full of food and supplies. They were ready to set off, when they heard, "STOP!" It was Meilin. "I need to talk to you!" She ran next to them. "I just wanted to say good-bye. Since I might not see you again…" Sakura smiled. "Of course we'll see you again. We'll both be back. I promise." Meilin smiled. "I guess you're right. Sakura, can I talk to you alone for a moment? You know, girl-to-girl?" Sakura looked confused and turned towards Syaoran, who signaled that he thought it was okay. The two girls walked a little distance so Syaoran wouldn't hear them. "Kinomoto, I know we haven't been the best of friends, but when Syaoran told me how you risked your life to save him, I knew how you must feel about him." Sakura looked confused. "What are you talking about?" "I just want to let you know, you have my permission to feel that way about him. I know you'll do a good job. Just don't make him worry like after you fainted, got it?" Sakura stood in silence and confusion. "Hoe… what do you mean?" "Don't worry, you'll figure it out eventually. Well, I'll let you go." Meilin walked off, waving as she went. Syaoran walked up to Sakura. "What was that all about?" He asked. "…I'm not sure…"
They set out on the rest of their journey. After a day of walking, they arrived on a beach with large waves crashing on the shore. They sat down on the sand and unfolded the map. "So, is this where the next shrine is?" Syaoran asked. "I don't think so. It should be about another day east of here. My question is, how will we know where it is exactly and how will we get to it? The entire shrine is underwater." She answered. Syaoran turned around and crossed his arms. "I'm not sure I guess we'll just have to—" "UGH!" He heard Sakura scream behind him. "Sakura?" He turned and saw Sakura lying motionless on the ground. "Sakura! What happened?" He lifted her head. She was out cold with a blow to the head. He looked up just in time to see something fly towards his head before everything went black… He temporarily regained consciousness. He felt someone dragging him. He opened his eyes. He saw two demons dragging him and Sakura somewhere. He then lost consciousness again…
Syaoran groaned loudly and rubbed his head. He felt like a car had hit him. He sat up, half unconscious. "…Damn… what the hell happened?" He heard crying coming from nearby. He couldn't see much because his vision was very blurry. "Who's there?" He asked, not knowing where it's coming from. "S-S- Syaoran?! Is that you?!" Syaoran's eyes still didn't focus. "Syaoran, it's me, Sakura." Sakura said. Syaoran walked closer to where he heard her voice come from. "Where are we? I can't see a thing. OW!" He walked straight into some large metal poles sticking out of the ground. Finally, his vision straightened. It was dark, but he could now make out his surroundings. He had bumped into… prison bars?! "Where the hell are we?!" He asked again, leaning against the bars. "We're in some kind of prison… demons knocked us out and dragged us here…" Syaoran looked up and recalled seeing them be dragged off. "Oh yeah, now I remember. But why were you crying?" He turned and looked at Sakura. He stared blankly for a second, covered his eyes and turned around screaming. "Hey! Where are your clothes?" He was right. She was completely naked. Sakura pointed. "I can say the same thing to you." Syaoran blushed deeply. Oh damn… I'm still groggy… I didn't even notice… But, why?" Sakura was silent for a moment. "Those demons… they looked for the Clow Cards, but they never found them. They didn't realize that the cards are in our backpacks still on the beach. They thought we had them on us, so they took all of our clothes, weapons, food, everything. They never gave any of it back…" She began to cry. "It has been a living hell staying here…" Syaoran looked up at the ceiling. "Is that why you've been crying? Because it's been rough?" Sakura turned away. "No, that's not it… I don't want to talk about it…" Syaoran was silent for a moment. "Well, you don't have to tell me, but I just thought…" Sakura interrupted with, "Alright… but please don't overreact…" She stepped forward into the small bit of light from a dim light bulb that was the only source of light in their cells. Blood was streaming down her cheeks. Her face was covered in bruises, as was the rest of her body, from he legs, to her chest, to her arms. She was filthy and covered in dirt and mud. "Oh my God! What happened to you?!" Syaoran asked in horror. "It's nothing…" She said in a quite fearful voice as tears formed in her eyes. "Nothing huh? Bruises and cuts just don't appear out of nowhere. What happened?" He asked again. "When they didn't find the Clow Cards, they came to my cell. You were still unconscious. You've been out for about two days. I woke up a few hours after we arrived. They asked me where the cards were, but I wouldn't tell them. They started to scream at me, but I still wouldn't tell them. Then they started to shove me around. Eventually, the two guards just jumped me and beat me… And they beat me hard… They punched me in the face, kicked me, cut me, anything they could think of… they did the same thing yesterday, and they promised to do it again today! I'm so scarred…" Syaoran was silent. He was so shocked and disgusted. "And these conditions… the rats, the dirt, the darkness… The only thing I have to keep me warm at night is this rag. I CAN'T TAKE IT! They haven't given me any food either… just water. I haven't eaten in two days… I feel so weak… But that's not the worst part…" Syaoran couldn't believe that. She had been beaten and starved. How could anything be worse than that? "I looked in your cell, and saw the blood coming from your head… they told me you were already dead. That you had bled to death. I couldn't look at you… The thought that my best friend, my Syaoran was covered in blood and dead in the room next to me was too much to bear…" Syaoran couldn't believe what he was hearing. His blood boiled. The lies, the beatings, Sakura didn't deserve it. No one deserves that kind of abuse, especially Sakura. He reached his arms through the cell bars and stroked his fingers through her hair. "It's alright Sakura. Everything will be fine now. I won't let them lay another damned finger on you." He pulled her closer to the bars and tried to hug through the metal poles.
"Aw, isn't this sweet? The bitch and her man are together again…"
A voice came in from the other end of the room. A lone demon, armed with a handgun, walked in. "So, you're finally awake? Good, I'm glad. Now not only do I get to beat your girlfriend here in front of you, but then I get to beat you too!" Syaoran's face turned bright red in hatred. "YOU BASTARD! YOU WERE ONE OF THE GUARDS WHO BEAT SAKURA! I'LL KILL YOU!" He feverishly reached his arms out of the cell, trying to grab the guard, like a lion trapped in a cage. "Heh. Feisty today, aren't we? Well, no matter. Let's get started. I'll just—AUGH!" The guard suddenly dropped to his knees, and disappeared like all of the tuxedos do. An object landed where the tuxedo guard once stood. Sakura reached out and picked it up. "An arrow?" She said. "But who—"
"It's mine." A voice said, interrupting Sakura. A figure stepped in front of their cells. He was a tall and slender man, probably around 6'5" with bright blonde hair. He had deep blue eyes. He was dressed in a black suit, something you'd expect a cat burglar to wear. "My name is Gene. I'm from a nearby village of archers. Sadin's armies captured me and the rest of the villagers. We were taken here, but I escaped from my cell. Unfortunately, I don't know where the rest of the villagers are. But as I snuck around, I heard some guards talking about the Galactic Heroes were trapped here. So, I figured I could make a deal with you two. I'll help you escape if you'll help me find and rescue my fellow archers. Deal?" "Of course we'll help you. You saved me from being beaten again." Sakura said. "Great." He picked up the keys the guard was carrying and unlocked their cells. "Oh yeah, I brought some stuff for you two. Some food, some medical supplies, and it looks like you two could use some clothes. It wouldn't be very smart to try and break out of here completely nude." He tossed them some clothes and they quickly got dressed, not even caring what they looked like. When they finally finished, they looked at each other. Everything they wore was black. Black t-shirts, black pants, black boots, and a black wool hat. Next, he gave them their medical supplies. They stepped out of their cells and helped wrap bandages around their wounds. "And I'm sure you're both hungry. I managed to steal some food from the kitchen." Gene tossed them some apples and they ate them up quickly. "Okay, are you two ready?" He asked the two heroes. "Yeah, but I have just one question: Tomoyo, our friend, told us that Sadin had destroyed all of the technology in the world, but then how…" "Does Sadin's prison have all of this technology like the lights and guns? He may have destroyed all of the technology, but that damned greedy pig kept a lot for himself and his armies to use." He picked up the handgun the guard was carrying. "That's why their armies here use these."
At the other end of the room, a door opened and a guard stepped in. "OH NO! THE PRISONERS ARE FREE!" The guard screamed. He ran outside the door and pressed a button. Gene raised the pistol and fired. The guard fell, but it was too late.
"BREEEE! BREEEE! WARNING! INTRUDER ALREAT! THE PRISONERS ARE FREE! ALL PERSONNEL ASSISST IN CAPTURING THEM! BREEEE! BREEEE!" The alarm had been sounded. "Oh shit… Come on, we gotta move!" Gene said as they made a run for the door, into the prison full of armed guards to try and rescue the village of archers.
To be continued…